Photographic document-copying apparatus



Sept; 8, 1964 GOLD ETAL 3,147,684

1 PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Filed De c. 21, 1962 I aSheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 8, 1964 N. GOLD ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENT-COPYINGAPPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 21, 1962 INVEN OR. m"; WM

ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1964 N. GOLD ETAL 3,147,684

PHOTOGRAPHIQ DOCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 21, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INST R. xf

; ATEOZRNEYSI -tion or deterioration with time.

'tus represents a substantial capital investment requiring a 3,147,684PHOTOGRAPHIC DDCUMENT-COPYING APPARATUS Nicholas Gold, Arlington, andArthur J. Sable, Boston,

Mass, assignors to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporationof Delaware Filed Dec. 21, 1962, Ser. No. 246,469

11 Claims. (Cl. 95-45) This invention relates to photographic apparatusand particularly to apparatus for photographically copying documents.

Document-copying apparatus of the type with which the presentinventionis concerned generally comprise means for exposing a photosensitiveimage-recording sheet in conjunction with an original (document) tobecopied to produce an image-in the image-recording sheet and means forprocessing the image-recording sheet to produce therefrom a visible copyof the original. Processing is dry and is accomplished by superposingthe exposed image- .recording sheet with a second or image-receptivesheet and distributing a processing liquid between the superposed sheetsto clfect the formation of a transfer image on the second sheetpreferably by a silverhalide difiusiontransfer reversal process such asis described in U.S.

Patent No. 2,662,822, issued December 15, 1953 in the name of :Edwin H.Land. The document-copying apparatus of this'type is designed to producea plurality of :foreachcopy are provided as separate sheets rather thanportions of continuous sheets; the processing liquid is pro vided in acontainer which is part of the apparatus, in a quantity sufficient toproduce a plurality of copies; and/ or the processing is a wet processin which either or both sheets are immersed in the liquid rather than adry process in which the liquid is confined between the sheets "and.does TIlOlI come into contact with the apparatus.

Heretofore, document-copying apparatus-has constituted permanentequipment designed to utilize expendable material'swhich are replenishedwhen required due to deple- Naturally, such apparasubstantial minimum ofuse in order to make itspurchase economically feasible. To this is addedthe not inco-ir siderable trouble and expense "of replenishing thesupply of sheet mate-rials and processing liquids which are not onlyconsumed .butbecome waste due to deterioration with time and malfunctionand improper operation of the apparatus.

An object of the invention is to provide novel and improveddocument-copying apparatus of the type described which is reliable anddependable inits operation, produces copies of high quality, isinitially provided with the sheet materials necessary for and consumedin the production of a predetermined number of copies and ischaracterized by a construction which is sufficiently inexpensive to:permit the discarding of the entire apparatus when the sheet materialswhich it initially comprises are consumed 'in the production of apredetermined number of copies.

Another object of the invention is to providedocumentcopying apparatusof the character described designed to be operated manually andrequiring for its operation no other outside-or internal source ofpower, with exposures being made by ambient light.

United States Patent ice - Other objects of the invention will in partbe obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, whichare exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is aperspective view of a document-copying apparatus embodyingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG- URE 1 shown in aninverted position;

FIG. 3 is a'fragmentary sectional view of the apparatus of FIGURE '1taken substantially midway between the sides;

FIGS. 4, .5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views taken respectivelyalong the lines 44, 55, 6-6 of FIG. 3, illustrating details of theconstruction of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view partially in section illustrating acomponent of the apparatus;

' FIGS. '8 and 9 are fragmentary sectional views of components of theapparatus illustrating the-operation'thereof;

FIG. 1-0 is a fragmentary perspective viewof a portion of a sheetincorporated in the apparatus; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 11-11 ofFIG. 3 illustrating the construction of a component of the apparatus.

The document-copying apparatus of the invention is designed to beexpendable following its useto make a predetermined number of copies,and accordingly its construction is simple and inexpensive and its:operation is manual. With the exception of the containers of processingliquid, each holding sufficient liquid to produce .a copy, theapparatus, including the sheet materials, is completely self-contained;and designed 'to be operated manually in the presence of ambient light(which is used for exposures), requiring only a generally -flat surfacefor supporting the apparatus during its operation. The operation of theapparatus is uncomplicated, yet reliable,

and the apparatus is capable of producing high-quality copies in aminimum of time with a minimum of effort and expense, utilizingmaterials which which .the apparatus is initially loaded and suppliedand which need no further preparation and do not deteriorate rapidlywith age. a

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings wherein thereis illustrated document-copying apparatus embodying the invention. Theapparatus comprises a generally parallelepiped shaped housing 1 0 havingside walls 12' and 14, end walls 16 and 18, anupper wall 20 and alowerwall 22, it being understood that the expressions upper and lower areused for the purposes of. description and not in a limiting sense todenote the position in which the apparatus must be disposed duringoperation. In order to provide for the most inexpensive and "economicalconstruction for the housing, the latter may take the form shown inwhich the side walls are formed of material such as sheet metal havingsubstantial structural strength and designed tosupport a majority of.the operating elements and materials of the apparatus. The upper, lowerand end wallson the other hand are not required to have the structuralstrength of the side walls and are formed of a less expensive material,such as card board, which is joined to the side walls by crimping theedges of the side walls in engagement with the edges of the upper, lowerand end walls which, incidentally, may comprise a single blank of asuitable light-opaque sheet material.

The upper wall 20 of housing 10 is formed with a rectangular openinghaving an area at least equal and preferably slightly greater than theoriginals which the apparatus is designed to copy. This opening in upperwall 20 is designated 24 and the upper wall is provided with arectangular supporting frame 26 disposed in surrounding relation to theopening. The frame is formed, for example of an organic plastic materialand is provided for purposes which will be described hereinafter. Lowerwall in the apparatus. A rectangular frame 30 formed of a pliantmaterial such as foam rubber, is secured to the outer surface of lowerwall 22 in surrounding relation 1 such image-recording sheet material,herein designated 32,

is provided on a conventional spool 33 supported at its ends on sidewalls 12 and 14 intermediate the ends of the housing adjacent the end ofopening 24 nearest end wall 16. Image-recording sheet 32 isapproximately equal 'in width to the width of the original documentswhich the apparatus is designed for copying and has a length which ismany times the length of such documents so that the apparatus is capableof producing, with the materials with which it is initially loaded, apredetermined large (e.g. 100) number of copies. Image-recording sheet32 comprises a photosensitive image-recording material 'such' as agelatino silver halide emulsion carried on a suitable support sheet suchas paper.

Ambient light for exposing the image-recording sheet is admitted to thehousing through opening 24, and the apparatus includes means forcontrolling the admission of light into the housing and means forpositioning successive areas of the photosensitive sheet for exposure insuperposition with original documents to be copied. The apparatusdisclosed is designed to produce direct copies, that is, copies made byexposing the image-recording sheet -to light transmitted through theoriginal, and accordingly the layer of photosensitive material isprovided on the surface of sheet 32 which faces upper wall 20.

Opening 24 is provided with a light-transmitting window 34 supported inframe 26 which may be formed of an organic plastic material and isprovided with a groove for engaging the edges of window 34.- The window,

which may be transparent or translucent, is capable of transmittinglight actinic to the image-recording sheet and comprises a relativelystiff or rigid sheet material such as glass or a suitable organicplastic material such as one of the acrylics. In this regard, it isnoted that both a the frame and the window may comprise a single elementformed of an organic plastic material with the frame 'portion of thiselement rendered opaque, for example,

by the provision of an opaque coating on its surfaces.

Means are provided for supporting successive areas of sheet 32 withinthe housing in position for exposure underlying window 34. In the formshown, these means comprise a rectangular tray 36 having a bottom wall38 at'least coextensive with window 34 and upstanding end and side wallsdesignated 40 each formed with an outwardly projecting flange 42.Engaged within the end and side walls of the tray and supported onbottom wall 38 thereof is a pad 44 formed of a pliant material such asan elastomeric or polymeric foam. The thickness of pad 44 is such thatthe upper surface of the pad projects substantially above end and sidewalls 40 of tray 36. Supporting frame 26 includes side members 46 formedwith inwardly facing channels 48 in whichfia'nges '22 is also formedwith an opening, designated 28, at T least coextensive in size with thecopies to be produced as resistance welding, riveting, etc. f Means areprovided in the housing for preventing ex posure of image-recordingsheet 32 by light admitted through opening 28 and for guiding thephotosensitive sheet from spool 33 into position for exposure betweenpad 44 and window 34. These means comprise a member in the form of acontinuous wall, designated 54, formed of a light-opaque sheet materialsuch as metal to provide a first section 56 extending from forward wall20 adjacent an end of frame 26 between the latter and end Wall 16 towardrear wall 22 to a location adjacent rear wall 22 at an edge of opening28; a second section 58 extending from the first section across aportion of opening 28 'toward end wall 18 and generally parallel withlower generally parallel therewith. Wall 54 is joined at its lateraledges to side walls 12 and 14 and provides, in conjunction with forwardwall 20, side walls 12 and 14 and an end portion, designated 64, ofsupport tray 36,

a chamber for enclosing a supply of image-recording sheet 32 mounted onspool 33 and having an exit passage 66 defined by end portion 64 offrame 26 and fourth section 62 of wall 54.

On one of end walls 40 of tray 36 is engaged for limited movement in arecess, or recesses, formed in a supporting plate or plates 68 engagedbetween the third and fourth sections and 62 where the sections join;and the flange 42 at the opposite end of tray 36 is engaged in a channel70 in a supporting member 72 formed for example of an organic plasticmaterial and supported at its ends on side walls 12 and 14.

The apparatus includes means for preventing the admission of lightthrough window 34 except when it is desired to make an exposure and forcontrolling the duration of the exposure. These means comprise a door 74mounted at one edge on frame 26 for pivotal movement between a closedposition in which the door is superposed with window 34 and extendsbeyond the edges of the window to prevent the admission of lighttherethrough and an open position displaced from the window to permitthe admission of actinic light through the winan area of sheet 32supported against the window by pad 44. The exposure is made by openingdoor 74 for a predetermined period, so that the original must beintroduced into the apparatus between the photosensitive sheet and thewindow while the door is closed and without admitting light to exposethe image-recording sheet. During exposure, the image-recording sheetand original superposed therewith are urged into superposition andagainst window 34 by springs 50, but, between exposures,

pad 44 is required to be displaced from window 34 to permit theintroduction of an original document into the apparatus between thewindow and pad. In the form shown, the means for displacing pad 44 awayfrom winarrangement.

'dow 34 comprise engagement members 76 on side Walls '40 of tray 36which extend through openings in side members 46 of supporting frame 26outwardly beyond the upper and outer surface of window 34. When door 74is closed, it engages the outer ends of members 76 displacing themembers inwardly against the bias of springs '50 and displacing theupper surface of pad 44 away from window 34 to permit the introductionof an original between the pad and the window and the movement of theimage-recording sheet therebetween. When the door is open to makean-exposure, the pad automatically moves forward under the bias ofsprings 50 compressing the original and image-recording sheet betweenthe pad and window.

The apparatus is provided with a slot or passage aligned with the spacebetween pad 44 and window 34 through which an original document may beintroduced into position for exposure underlying window 34. This passagemay be provided in either of the side walls of the housing and wouldthen extend through one of the side members 46 or the passage may, asshown, extend through the housing at the end thereof closest end wall18. In the first-mentioned arrangement, engagement members 76 .will, ofnecessity, be provided on the end walls of the tray rather than the sidewalls thereof along with other minor departures in structure beingnecessitated by this In the arrangement shown, the housing is providedwith a short upper wall 78 joined toend wall 18 and extending to aposition adjacent supporting member '72 and underlying end sectiondesignated 80 of frame 26. A passage designated 82, through which theoriginal is introduced is defined by end section 80 and upper wall '78and is provided with a suitable light-sealing mater'ial such as flocking85 to prevent the admission of light into the housing through passage82. Since the original may be smaller in size than window 34 yet, duringexposure, should be centered with respect to the window, provision ismade in the form of means, which .are not a part of the apparatus, forintroducing the I original into the apparatus.

These means comprise an envelope formed of a light-transmitting materialequal in width to the width of passage 82 and having a length such thata section'of the envelope will project from the housing through passage82 when an original, contained in the envelope, is in position forexposure between windoW 34 and pad 44. The sheet material comprising thewall of the envelope which'is located between the original and theimage-recording sheet supported on pad- 44 is made preferably as thin aspossible in order to locate the original and image-recording sheet inthe closest pos- ,sible relation when the door is opened and thesandwich .compris'ing the envelope, original and image-recordingpressure-applying membersand a quantity of the process- 7 ing liquid,provided on one of the sheets, is distributed between the sheets to.form a sandwich as the sheets are moved relative to and between thepressure-applying members. The apparatus includes a supply ofimage-receptive sheet 84 which may comprise paper substantially equal inwidth and length to sheet 32 and coiled upon a conventional spool $6mounted at its ends on side walls 12 and 14 adjacent end wall Y18 andunderlying upper Wall A guide member 88 formed, for example, of sheetmetal is provided between spool 86 andupper wall 78 "for guiding sheet84 from a location adjacent end wall 18 toward the opposite end of thehousing in close proximity to the inner surface of upper wall 78 andthence into superposition with image-recording sheet 32 which is guidedfrom between pad 44 and window 34 around supporting member 72 towardlower wall 22 into engagement withsheet 84.

Sheets 32 and '84 are guided intosuperposition between a pair ofjuxtaposed pressure-applying members which perform the functions ofsuperposing the sheets, distributing a processing liquid between thesuperposed sheets and collecting excess processing liquid following thetreatment of each enclosed area of sheet 32 so that the liquid is notdistributed in contact with the next succeeding exposed area of theimage-recording sheet. The pressure-applying and liquid-collecting meansof the invention comprise a pressure-applying member of the typedisclosed in the copending US. Patent application Serial No. 224,644filed September 19, 1962 in the name of Arthur J. Sable; and in the formshown, comprise a channel mounted at its ends on side walls 12 and 14and supporting a resilient deformable member 92 formed of a polymeric orelastomeric foam and having a generally planar upper surface providedwith a covering layer 94 of a flexible material, such as polyethylene,which has a low coefficient the width of the areas of the sheets to betreated with the processing liquid, which width "is less than the widthof the sheets, and including a sheet-engaging surface designated 98which lies in astraight line and is juxtaposed with the surface ofcovering layer 94 of deformable member 92. Pressure-applying member 96is shown in FIGS. 3 and 8 in its operative or pressure-applying positionin which resilient deformable member 92 is compressed and the resiliencyof member 92 serves to provide the uniformly distributed compressivepressure necessary to dis tribute a processing liquid between sheets 32and 84 as the sheets 'areadvanced in superposition between members 92and 96, the former having a length at least equal to the width of thesheet materials comprising the apparatus.

In order toprovide for ease of manufacture, fabrication and assembly ofthe apparatus and the expendable materials which comprise the apparatus,the processing liquid for each exposed area of the image-recording'sheetis provided in a tubular straw-shaped container of the type shown anddescribed in US. Patent No. 3,047,387 issued July 31, 1962 in the nameof Edwin H. Land. Each container, one of which is shown and designated100 in FIG. 3, includes a cavity sealed at both ends and filled with apredetermined quantity of the processing liquid'sufficient to treat anexposed area of the imagerecording sheet. The container includes a sealat one end of the cavity designed to become unsealed in response to thegeneration of hydraulic pressure within the, liquid in the container,and the fluid contents of the container are discharged therefrom by theprogressive application of compressive pressure to the containercommencing at the opposite end of the cavity as the container is movedlengthwise toward this opposite (or leading) end relative to a surfaceon which the liquid is to be dispensed. 'In the apparatus of theinvention, means are provided for allowing container 100 to beintroduced into 'the apparatus into the position shown in FIG. 3,between sheets 32 and 84 in the region thereof at which the sheetsconverge into superposed relation that is, between ;guide member 88 andsupport member 72; and for progressively applying compressive pressureto the container as it is withdrawn lengthwise from the housing betweenand across the sheets in order to dispense the liquid contents of thecontainer as an elongated mass supported on and extending across sheet84 on an area thereof extending transversely of sheet 84 in the regionof the leading edge of the area of sheet 84 which is superposed with anexposed area of sheet 32. These means comprise a funnel-shaped passage102 leading to a pressure-applying device comprising lateral guide walls104,

a fixed pressure member 106, and a movable pressure member 108. Movablepressure member 10-8 is mounted for pivotal movement between guide walls104 toward and away from fixed pressure member 106 and is biased table.

--s,147,es4

7 by a spring 110 toward the fixed pressure member. The construction ofthe pressure members and the spring are such that as container 100 isintroduced into the housing through passage 102 between guide walls 104,pressure liquid contents of the container from the trailing end thereofonto sheet 84. Pressure member 108 also cooperates with pressure member106 and guide walls 104 for preventing the admission of light into thehousing through passage 102.

As the sheets are advanced between the pressure-applying members 96 and92, the liquid is distributed from the mass in which it was dispensed,between the sheets,

, laminating the sheets to one another to form a sandwich which isadvanced within the housing toward the opposite end thereof acrossopening 28. During the initial processing of the image-recording sheet32, the sheet remains photosensitive and the sandwich is required to ,beformed and advanced in a light-free environment. This environment isprovided by supporting the apparatus on a generally fiat surface withframe 30 in contact with the supporting surface, for example, the top ofa Frame 30, being resiliently deformable, forms a lighttight sealbetween lower wall 22 and the supporting surface preventing theadmission of light through opening 28 into the processing chamberdefined by the supporting surface, side walls 12 and 14, end walls 16and 18 tray 36, frame 26 and upper walls 20 and 78.

The tray and pad 44 cooperate with side members 46,

supporting member 72 and wall 54 to maintain this processing chamberlighttight when door 74 covering window 34 is opened.

As means for advancing the sheets through the apparatus, there isprovided within the end of the housing between end wall 16 and the firstsection 56 of wall 54 a take-up spool 112 of a conventional designconnected through a pinion gear 114 and drive gear 116 to a manuallyoperable crank 118 mounted on the exterior of side wall 14. Theapparatus is initially provided with sheet 32 extending from spool 33between window 34 and pad ,44 around supporting member 72 intosuperposition with sheet 84 between members 92 and 96, and with sheet 84extending from spool 86 around guide member 88 between the latter andupper wall 78 into superposition with sheet 32 between members 92 and 96from which the two sheets, or one of the sheets, or a leader attached toone or both of the sheets, extend across opening 28 into contact withsecond section 58 of wall 54 and thence into engagement with spool 112to which the sheets, sheet or leader are attached. Processing of eacharea of the image-recording sheet to form a positive transfer image inthe image-receptive sheet requires that the sheets remain insuperposition in a light-free environment during a predetermined minimumprocessing period which may be several seconds. To insure that thisminimum processing period is allowed, spool 112 is driven by crank 118through drive gear 116 and pinion gear 114 at a speed much less than thespeed ofrotation of the crank making it virtually impossible to advancethe sheets through the apparatus at an unreasonably fast rate. Moreover,crank 118 has a small diameter making it difiicult to manually rotatethe crank at a rate faster than the rate calculated to provide for aminimum processing period.

At the end of the processing period, the area of the image-receptivesheet containing a positive-transfer image constitutes the copy of theoriginal and is separated from the processed area of the image-recordingsheet. To

accomplish this, the apparatus is inverted so that the processedsandwich is accessible through opening 28 in lower wall 22, to separatean area of sheet 84 compris ing a positive copy from the superposed areaof the imagerecording sheet which is now considered waste. The area ofsheet 84 comprising a copy is severed at its leading edge from theremainder of sheet 84 extending from second section 58 toward spool 112and remaining laminated with sheet 32. This area of sheet 84 is thenstripped from sheet 32 and is again severed at its trailing edge in thevicinity of the pressure-applying members which distribute theprocessing liquid. To facilitate the severing and stripping operations,sheet 84 is provided on the surface thereof which faces sheet 32 with asuccession of strips each secured to sheet 84 at the leading edge of anarea of the sheet which is superposed with an exposed area of sheet 32and is to comprise a finished copy. Strips 128 extend transversely ofsheet 84 from edge to edge thereof and are formed of a material having agreater tensile or tear strength than sheet 84. Strips 120 may comprisefilamentous elements such as fine threads comprise ribbons of a thin,sheet material such as the polymers having relatively high tearstrength, polyethylene terephthalate resins being especially well suitedfor this purpose. Sheet 84 may be grasped at one edge and torn, as shownin FIG. 2, along the edge of strip and to facilitate grasping of theedge of the sheet and initiating tearing thereof, sheet 84 is providedwith portions at one edge each precut or at least weakened along a lineextending inwardly from the edge toward an adjacent edge of strip 120.In the form shown in FIG. 10, this portion, designated 122, is cut alonga line 123 extending from a point on the edge of sheet 84 spaced fromthe leading edge of strip 120 inwardly and toward the leading edge ofstrip 120 to a point at said leading edge.

Portion 122 may then be grasped between the fingers 'for tearing sheet84 along the leading edge of sheet strip 120.

Sheet 84, as it is torn along strip 120 from another portion of sheet84, is stripped from sheet 32 and withdrawn from the housing throughopening28. To facilitate the severance of this area of sheet 84 at itstrailing end, a cutter bar 124 is provided within the housing having asharpened edge 126 located adjacent the path of movement of the sandwichand member 92. By virtue of this construction, withdrawal and strippingof this area of sheet 84 and severance of the sheet at the trailing edgeof this area is accomplished in a single motion, as shown in FIG. 2,when the sheet is drawn against sharpened edge 126.

The sheets are advanced through the apparatus manually and means areprovided for indicating to the operator of the apparatus each time asuflicient length of the sheets has been advanced to process an exposedarea of the photosensitive sheet and to move another unexposed area ofthe photosensitive sheet into position for exposure. In the form shown,these means comprise a reference mark in the form of a line 128 at theleading edge of each area of image-receptive sheet 84 and a window 130in upper wall 78 through which the reference line becomes visible assheet 84 is advanced between guide member 88 and window 30. Thereference indicia or line 128 may comprise strip 120 and the referenceindicia window 130, and guide member 88 are so located that advancementof the sheets is discontinued when the reference indicia becomes visiblethrough window 130.

The processing liquid for each area of the image-recording sheet to betreated is usually provided in a quantity in excess of that required sothat following distribution of the processing liquid in contact with anexposed area of the image-recording sheet and a corresponding area ofthe image-receptive sheet, a mass of the liquid remains between thesheets where the sheets enter between members 92 and 96. Means areprovided for preventing this 9 mass of liquid from being distributedbeyond the trailing edges of the processed area into contact with thenext successive exposed areaof the image-recording sheet.

These means, termed trapping means, comprise means for spacing member 96away from member 92 during the initial movement of the sheets betweenthe members to effect processing of an exposed area of theimage-recording sheet whereby distribution of the processing liquid istemporarily discontinued, and the excess processing liquid remaining atthe trailing edge of the processed areas is collected and retainedbetween the sheets rather than being distributed further. In order totrap and retain the excess processing liquid, pressure-applying member96 is generally rectangular in cross section and is mounted forpivotalmovement about an axis located approximately midway betweensheet-engaging surface 98 and the opposite surface of member 96 so thatsheet-engaging surface 98 can be moved through 90 from the operative orpressureapplying position shown in FIG. 8, to the inoperative ortrapping position shown in FIG. 9, at which there is a substantial gapbetween pressure-applying member 96 and deformable member 92.Pressure-applying member 96 is mounted for pivotal movement about theaforesaid axis on the ends of a pair of arms 132 each mounted forpivotal movement at its opposite end on one of side walls 12 and 14.Pressure-applying member 96 is resiliently biased by a torsion spring136 into the inoperative or trapping position thereof, spring136 beingengaged at one end in arm 132 and at its other end with a pin 138projecting axially from the end of the pressure-applying member 96. Atab 140 is turned inwardly from arm 132 and acts as a stop against whichpin 138 abuts in the inoperative position of the pressure-applyingmember.

Means are provided on the ends of pressure-applying member 96 forpivoting the pressure-applying member into its operative fluid-spreadingposition and in the form shown comprise a pair of sheet engagementmembers 142 each having a periphery which is cylindrical with respect tothe aforementioned axis about which member 96 is pivotable and having aradius approximately equal to the distance between the aforesaid axisand sheet-engaging surface 98. Engagement members 142 are positioned forengaging the image-recording sheet at its lateral margins and thecylindrical surface of each of the sheet engagement members isconstructed and designed to promote frictional engagement with thesheets. This can be accomplished by knurling or otherwise roughing thecylindrical surfaces of members 142, if the latter are formed of metal,or forming members 142 of material such as rubber having a highcoefficient of friction. In the operation of the apparatus, whenadvancement of the sheets is discontinued and the processing liquiddistributed between and in contact with the adjacent surfaces of anexposed area of sheet 32 and another area of sheet 84, thepressureapplying member 96 is in operative position shown in FIG. 8 witha mass, designated 144, of the excess processing liquid being located inbetween the sheets where the sheets converge into superposition adjacentmember 96. Rotation of pressure-applying member 96 through 90 to theinoperative position of FIG. 9 is prevented by frictional engagement ofmembers 96 and 142 with sheet 32, and this condition prevails untilmembers 96 and 142 are displaced from member 92 permittingpressure-applying member 96 to pivot under the bias of spring 136 intoinoperative position. Arms 132 are pivotable to move'sheet engagementmembers 142 toward and away from member 92 and include control members134 which extend from the end of the arm on which member 96 is mounted,through openings in side member 46 of the housing. beyond the uppersurface of window 34. In this construction, door 74, in the closedposition, engages control members 134 thereby holding pressure-applyingmember 96 and sheet engagement members 142 against the sheets disposedbetween members 92 and 96, and in order to permit rotation of member 96with respect to member 92 out of engagement with sheet 32 when door 74is moved to its open position in order to expose an area of theimage-recording sheet. When door 74 is opened, sheet engagement members142 are no longer urged or held in engagement with sheet 32 therebyallowing member 96 to pivot into inoperative position during the initialadvancement of the sheets for processing the next succeeding exposedarea of the image-recording sheet.

When door 74 is closed to terminate the exposure of an area of sheet 32,members 142 are again urged into engagement with sheet 32 so that duringtheinitial portion of the subsequent movement of sheet 32, members 142and pressure-applying member 96 are pivoted against the bias of spring136 in a counterclockwise direction (viewing FIGS. 8 and 9), into aposition in which sheet engagement surface 98 is engaged with a portionof sheet 32 located between member 96 and member 92 so that continuedmovement of the sheets continues the rotation of member 96 into theoperative position of FIG. 8. During this pivotal movement of member 96from inoperative to operative position, the mass 144 of liquid left overfrom producing the previous copy is trapped and retained betweenportions of the sheets which have been advanced between thepressure-applying members and which are located between successiveexposed areas of the imagerecording sheet. In order that the sheets maybe advanced between members 96 and 92 subject only to frictionalengagement with covering layer 94 and sheet engagement surface 96, eachof members 142 is relieved at the portion thereof which is closestmember 92 when member 96 is in operative position. Stated differently,in this operative position of member 96, each of members 142 includes asurface portion 146 which is spaced from the pivotal axis of member 96by a distance substantially less than the distance separating the axisand sheet engagement surface 98.

To operate the document-copying apparatus of the invention, theapparatus is placed on a supporting surface with lower wall 22 facingthe supporting surface and frame 30 engaged with the supporting surface.The original document to be copied is introduced into thelighttransmitting envelope as previously described and introducedthrough passage 82 into position for exposure between an area of sheet32 supported on pad 44 and window 34. Door 74 is then opened for apredetermined period the length of which depends on the brightness ofthe ambient light thereby permitting the upward movement of pad 44clamping the original envelope and sheet 32 between the pad and thewindow during exposure. When the door is opened, member 96, if it hadbeen in operative position, is allowed to pivot under the bias of spring136 into inoperative position. The door is then closed displacing pad 44from window 34 and holding members 142 in engagement with sheet 32. Theenvelope containing the original document may then be withdrawn from thehousing, although this is not necessary, a con tainer of processingliquid is then introduced through passage 102 in the housing and thenwithdrawn from the housing causing its fluid contents to be distributedas an elongated mass on sheet 84. Crank 118 is then rotated to advancethe sheets through the apparatus until line 128 becomes visible throughwindow 130. During the initial advancement of the sheets,pressure-applying member 96 is rotated into its operative position, anyexcess processing liquid from the previous copy is trapped between thesheets and thereafter the processing liquid, dispensed from thecontainer onto sheet 64, is distributed between the exposed area of theimage-recording sheet and a corresponding area of sheet 84 to form asandwich which is advanced into the processing chamber previouslydescribed underiyingopening 28. The apparatus is then inverted toprovide access to opening 128 so that the operator can tear sheet 84against sharpened edge 126 of cutter bar 124. The apparatus may then berighted and supported on a support surface with frame 30 in contacttherewith and the operation repeated for another copy at any time whensuch other copy is desired.

The apparatus may be employed to make a copy or copies as often and atwhatever intervals are desired and convenient; and inasmuch as theliquid for each copy is provided in a separate container and does notdeteriorate with age as is the case in conventional copying apparatus inwhich the processing liquid for a number of copies is contained in acontainer through which one or both of the sheets is passed for wettingthe sheet. There are no liquids to spill, and the waste materials, withthe exception of collapsed containers, are contained Within the housingand are discarded along with the housing and operating components of theapparatus when the sheet materials have been expended to make copies. Itis contemplated that storage chambers may be provided within theapparatus between tray 36 and lower wall 22 for holding both the filledand emptied containers so that storage and disposal of the limited wastematerial is provided for in a single, expendable and disposableapparatus. The only materials which are handled by the operator are the.containers of processing liquid, which are merely introduced into andwithdrawn from the housing, and the finished copies. The process, aspreviously noted, is substantially dry so that neither the apparatus northe operator comes into contact with the processing liquid. The.construction of this device is quite simple comprising a minimum ofelements which are easy to fabricate of inexpensive materials and can beassembled without difficulty. The construction of the components of theapparatus is simplified because the apparatus is required to produce alimited number of copies, and it is economically possible to discard theapparatus after the limited number vof copies has been made and stillproduce copies at cost competitive with known copying conventionalmethods and apparatus.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention .herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and'notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic document-copying apparatus comprising, in combination:

a housing including side walls, end walls, an upper wall having alight-transmitting section and a lower wall having an opening thereinconnecting with the interior of said housing;

a light opaque door mounted for movement between a closed position inwhich said door covers said lighttransmitting section and an openposition in which a said light-transmitting section is uncovered toadmit light'therethrough into said housing;

a supply of a photosensitive image-recording sheet material mountedwithin said housing adjacent one end of said light-transmitting section;

shielding means disposed between said opening and said supply of saidimage-recording sheet for preventing exposure of said image-recordingsheet by light admitted to said housing through said opening;

light opaque support means mounted within said housing between saidopening and said light-transmitting section for supporting portions ofsaid image-recording sheet in position for exposure against saidlighttransmitting section;

resilient means for biasing said support means toward saidlight-transmitting section;

means coupledwith said support means for coacting with said door todisplace said support means away from said light-transmitting sectionwhen said door is in closed position; a

, one of said end and side walls being formed with a passage foradmitting an original document to be copied into said housing betweensaid light-transmitting section and a portion of said image-recordingsheet supported on said support means between the latter and saidlight-transmitting section; a supply of a second sheet mounted withinsaid housing adjacent the opposite end thereof from said supply of saidimage-recording sheet;

processing means located within said housing adjacent said supply ofsaid second sheet for guiding said portions of said image-recordingsheet into superposition with areas of said second sheet'anddistributing a processing liquid between said sheets to form a sandwich;take-up means located within said housing at the end thereof adjacentsaid supply of said image-recording sheet for advancing saidimage-recording sheet and the sandwich which it comprises from saidprocessing means across said opening toward said take-up means andstoring said image-recording sheet and portions of said second sheetfollowing processing thereof; and means for, actuating said take-upmeans to advance said sheets through said apparatus.

2. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said second sheetincludes a succession of said areas adapted to be superposed with saidportions of said image-recording sheet and is provided with referenceindicia intermediate said successive areas; and said upper wall isprovided with a window through which one of said reference indicia isvisible when one of said portions of said image-recording sheet isin'position for exposure underlying said light-transmitting section.

'3. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which a pliant, lightopaque pad is provided on the outside of said lower wall surroundingsaid opening for providing a lighttight seal between said lower wall andthe surface on which said lower wall is supported.

,ter is in said closed position.

5. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said take-up meanscomprise a member upon which said sheets are coiled and said means foractuating said take-up means comprise a manually operable crank coupledto said member through speed reduction gears.

6. The photographic apparatus of claim 1 in which said opening isrectangular and is at least equal in width to said second sheet; andsheet severing means are provided within said housing near the edge ofsaid opening adjacent said processing means.

7. Photographic document-copying apparatus comprising, in combination: ahousing including side walls, end walls, an upper wall having alight-transmitting section and a lower wall having an opening thereinapproximately equal in size to said light-transmitting section andcommunicating with the interior of said housing;

a light opaque door mounted for movement between a closed position inwhich said door covers said light-transmitting section and an openposition in which said light-transmitting section is uncovered to admitlight therethrough into said housing;

a supply of a photosensitive image-recording sheet material mountedwithin said housing adjacent one end of said light-transmitting section;

shielding means disposed between said opening and said supply of saidimage-recording sheet for preventing exposure of said image-recordingsheet by light admitted to said housing through said opening;

light opaque support means mounted within said housing between saidopening and said light-transmitting 13 section for supporting portionsof said image-recording sheet in position for exposure against saidlight transmitting section and preventing exposure of said portions bylight admitted through said opening; resilient means biasing saidsupport means toward said light-transmitting section;

means coupled with said support means andcoacting with said door todisplace said support means away from said light-transmitting sectionwhen said door is in closed position;

one of said end and side walls being formed with a passage for admittingan original document to be copied into said housing between saidlight-transmitting section and a portion of said image-recording sheetsupported on said support means between the latter and saidlight-transmitting section;

means for sealing said passage against the admission of light;

a supply of a second sheet mounted within said housing adjacent the endthereof opposite said supply of said image-recording sheet;

means for guiding said portions of said image-recording sheet frombetween said light-transmitting section and said support means intosuperposition with areas of said second sheet adjacent said supply ofsaid second sheet;

processing means for distributing a processing liquid between superposedportions and areas of said imagerecording and second sheets to form asandwich;

take-up means located within said housing at the end thereof adjacentsaid supply of said image-recording sheet for advancing saidimage-recording sheet and the sandwich which it comprises from saidprocessing means across said opening toward said take-up means andstoring said image-recording sheet and portions of said second sheetfollowing processing thereof; and

means for actuating said take-up means to advance said sheet throughsaid apparatus.

8. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said opening is atleast equal in width to said second sheet and at least equal in lengthto said light-transmitting section; and a continuous pliant light opaquepad is provided on the outer surface of said lower wall in surroundingrelation to said opening for providing a lighttight seal between lowerwall and the surface on which said lower wall is supported duringadvancement of said sheets through said apparatus.

9. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said second sheetincludes a succession of said areas at least coextensive with saidportions of said image-recording sheet and adapted to be superposedtherewith, and is provided with reference indicia each locatedintermediate said successive areas; and said upper wall is provided witha Window for rendering each of said reference indicia visible when oneof said portions of said image-recording sheet is in position forexposure underlying said lighttransmitting section.

10. The photographic apparatus of claim 7 in which said supply of saidphotosensitive and second sheets, said support means, said resilientmeans, said processing means, said take-up means, and said means foractuating said take-up means are mounted on said side walls.

11. In photographic apparatus in which successive areas of aphotosensitive image-recording sheet are exposed in conjunction withoriginal documents, in combination:

a housing;

a light-transmitting panel in a Wall of said housing;

a light opaque cover for said panel mounted on the outside of saidhousing for movement between a closed position in which said coverprevents the admission of ambient light into said housing through saidpanel and an open position in which said panel is uncovered to admitlight therethrough into said housing;

support means mounted on the inside of said housing adjacent said panelfor movement toward and away from said panel;

resilient means for urging said support means toward said panel tosupport said areas of said image-recording sheet against said panel inposition for exposure to ambient light transmitted by said panel; and

means coupled with said support means for coating with said cover todisplace said support means from said panel when said cover is in closedposition to permit introduction of an original document into saidhousing between an area of said image-recording sheet and said panel.

No references cited.

11. IN PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS IN WHICH SUCCESSIVE AREA OF APHOTOSENSITIVE IMAGE-RECORDING SHEET ARE EXPOSED IN CONJUNCTION WITHORGINAL DOCUMENTS, IN COMBINATION: A HOUSING; A LIGHT-TRANSMITTING PANELIN A WALL OF SAID HOUSING; A LIGHT OPAQUE COVER FOR SAID PANEL MOUNTEDON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID HOUSING FOR MOVEMENT BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION INWHICH SAID COVER PREVENTS THE ADMISSION OF AMBIENT LIGHT INTO SAIDHOUSING THROUGH SAID PANEL AND AN OPEN POSITION IN WHICH SAID PANEL ISUNCOVERED TO ADMIT LIGHT THERETHROUGH INTO SAID HOUSING; SUPPORT MEANSMOUNTED ON THE INSIDE OF SAID HOUSING ADJACENT SAID PANEL FOR MOVEMENTTOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID PANEL; RESILIENT MEANS FOR URGING SAID SUPPORTMEANS TOWARD SAID PANEL TO SUPPORT SAID AREAS OF SAID IMAGE-RECORDINGSHEET AGAINST SAID PANEL IN POSITION FOR EXPOSURE TO AMBIENT LIGHTTRANSMITTED BY SAID PANEL; AND MEANS COUPLED WITH SAID SUPPORT MEANS FORCOATING WITH SAID COVER TO DISPLACE SAID SUPPORT MEANS FROM SAID PANELWHEN SAID COVER IS IN CLOSED POSITION TO PERMIT INTRODUCTION OF ANORIGINAL DOCUMENT INTO SAID HOUSING BETWEEN AN AREA OF SAIDIMAGE-RECORDING SHEET AND SAID PANEL.